April 15, 2006
Houston, Tex. -
Alabama A&M's magical run through the NCAA Women's Bowling National Tournament came to an end Saturday in a 4-1 loss in the national title match against Fairleigh Dickinson. The Lady Bulldogs defeated two-time defending champion for the second time in the tournament in the first session Saturday, advancing to the final with a 4-2 win over the Cornhuskers. It is the fifth-straight head-to-head victory over the number one team in the nation.
Whitney Smith proved why she is one of the most clutch rollers in the country in the Nebraska match. Leading in games 1-0 after a 209-198 opening victory, A&M looked dead in game two. The Lady Bulldogs trailed by 31 pins entering the final frame. An open set by the Cornhuskers left the door open for Smith to push her team ahead 2-0. She responded with three strikes to close out the 200-199 win.
Nebraska answered the 2-0 lead with two straight victories, 189-181 in game three, and 212-157 in game four. The biggest break of the match came in game five.
With A&M leading throughout the fifth, the final bowlers of Shanice Graham and Smith left the door open, much like Nebraska had done in game two. Needing a strike to seal the game and a 3-2 lead, the Huskers' anchor lost handle on the ball and hit just five pins. A&M won 194-190, and cruised past a deflated Nebraska team in game six, 214-169.
The momentum was tough for AAMU to carry over as tighter lane conditions and national television cameras were present for the championshp match. Still, the Lady Bulldogs had their chances splitting the first two contests. FDU won the opening game 209-165, with A&M bouncing back 184-148 in game two.
The tournament MVP, anchor Lisa Friscioni from FDU, won a head-to-head match with Smith in frame 10 of game four. The Knights won the game 172-165 and held a 3-1 lead. FDU closed out the match in game five handily 196-165.
For their efforts, Smith and Graham were named to the all-tournament team.
